The Stroller: Help the kids

Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 25, 2013 at 4:26 p.m.

Folks with the Campobello Youth Athletic Association are working hard to get the association back on its feet, but Kathy Ragin says thieves have dealt a blow to their work. “Beginning in 1968, with the labor, dedication and determination of some local residents in the area,” she says, “it took them four years after securing the leased premises at Highway 11 and Little Acres to prepare enough to allow their first game for children ages 5-12, and at times ages 13-19, as a nonprofit using baseball, football and cheerleading to teach children good sportsmanship, team play and persistence, and persistence is saving the youth association from its near death this past month. Michael Ragin has again stepped in to take a leadership role in reorganizing the association and returning it to its original values. Many volunteers who worked with Michael several years back are offering their time and labor to get the association up and running in time for spring baseball, and sign-ups are currently taking place. Josh Brock has taken the role of vice president, and Donnie Hall will be heading up baseball for the community, heralding the next generation of men and women to take up the gauntlet in serving our children. With the near demise of the association, however, fencing was taken down and has since been stolen. Witnesses report a white SUV and white pickup truck being loaded with the fencing that belongs to the children of this community. A police report has been done, but with practice due to start Saturday and the association without funds for any extras, our children will be without the protective fencing our founders worked so hard to provide. We receive no municipal, county or state funding and are completely funded by parents and players. Our communities have been very supportive, but replacing fencing is a need that will be difficult to meet.” The poles are up, but who has fencing to donate? Call either Michael Ragin at 457-6547 or Josh Brock at 809-7329.

‘LEFT OUT’: Linda Buchanan at South Pine Antique Mall congratulates the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau on its new Spartanburg Visitors Guide, but there’s just one problem. “It is such a beautiful publication, but, unfortunately, after more than 22 years in business, we were left out of the shopping-antiques section when some others no longer in business were listed,” says the puzzled store owner. “With the Chamber trying to promote small business, you can imagine our disappointment at having been accidentally left out. After talking with the Chamber, it assured us we would be listed on its website and apologized for the mistake. Buck and I just want everyone to know we are alive and well at 856 S. Pine St.”

‘CAN’T TELL’: A little boy was playing with a ball in his bedroom when it rolled under the bed. His mother had just taught him the Bible story about people being made out of dust and will go back to dust. He went running to his mama and said, “Come quick, Mama, there’s someone under my bed, and I can’t tell whether he’s coming or going.”

ODDS AND ENDS: The popular 10,000 Villages line of imported items from around the world will be available at The Advent Shoppe through Thursday. The Shoppe, at 161 Advent St. on the campus of Advent Episcopal Church, is open Monday-Friday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, from 8:30 to 11a.m.

<p>Folks with the Campobello Youth Athletic Association are working hard to get the association back on its feet, but Kathy Ragin says thieves have dealt a blow to their work. “Beginning in 1968, with the labor, dedication and determination of some local residents in the area,” she says, “it took them four years after securing the leased premises at Highway 11 and Little Acres to prepare enough to allow their first game for children ages 5-12, and at times ages 13-19, as a nonprofit using baseball, football and cheerleading to teach children good sportsmanship, team play and persistence, and persistence is saving the youth association from its near death this past month. Michael Ragin has again stepped in to take a leadership role in reorganizing the association and returning it to its original values. Many volunteers who worked with Michael several years back are offering their time and labor to get the association up and running in time for spring baseball, and sign-ups are currently taking place. Josh Brock has taken the role of vice president, and Donnie Hall will be heading up baseball for the community, heralding the next generation of men and women to take up the gauntlet in serving our children. With the near demise of the association, however, fencing was taken down and has since been stolen. Witnesses report a white SUV and white pickup truck being loaded with the fencing that belongs to the children of this community. A police report has been done, but with practice due to start Saturday and the association without funds for any extras, our children will be without the protective fencing our founders worked so hard to provide. We receive no municipal, county or state funding and are completely funded by parents and players. Our communities have been very supportive, but replacing fencing is a need that will be difficult to meet.” The poles are up, but who has fencing to donate? Call either Michael Ragin at 457-6547 or Josh Brock at 809-7329.</p><p><b>'LEFT OUT':</b> Linda Buchanan at South Pine Antique Mall congratulates the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau on its new Spartanburg Visitors Guide, but there's just one problem. “It is such a beautiful publication, but, unfortunately, after more than 22 years in business, we were left out of the shopping-antiques section when some others no longer in business were listed,” says the puzzled store owner. “With the Chamber trying to promote small business, you can imagine our disappointment at having been accidentally left out. After talking with the Chamber, it assured us we would be listed on its website and apologized for the mistake. Buck and I just want everyone to know we are alive and well at 856 S. Pine St.”</p><p><b>'CAN'T TELL':</b> A little boy was playing with a ball in his bedroom when it rolled under the bed. His mother had just taught him the Bible story about people being made out of dust and will go back to dust. He went running to his mama and said, “Come quick, Mama, there's someone under my bed, and I can't tell whether he's coming or going.”</p><p><b>ODDS AND ENDS:</b> The popular 10,000 Villages line of imported items from around the world will be available at The Advent Shoppe through Thursday. The Shoppe, at 161 Advent St. on the campus of Advent Episcopal Church, is open Monday-Friday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, from 8:30 to 11a.m.</p>